NFL Combine 2012 Results: Lamar Miller Sprints Up Draft Board

The University of Miami product stole the show at the NFL combine this past weekend with his killer speed. While he didn’t break Chris Johnson’s record, he registered a 4.38 and a 4.41 for the top mark among running backs in the 40-yard dash (via rotoworld.com).

Considering he is 5'’11 and around 215 pounds, that’s pretty incredible.

Miller went relatively unknown in his collegiate days. Part of the reason was the short-comings of a team that never made a bowl game during his tenure, and part of it was that he only played with the Hurricanes for two seasons. He sat out his first year and never made many highlight reels.

But make no mistake about it; this guy is the real deal.

He registered 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry in 2011, a year after averaging six yards a carry. He has breakaway speed and the size to handle being an every down back.

The team that makes perfect sense for Miller is the Cincinnati Bengals, who hold both the 17th and 21st picks. Cedric Benson is a free agent and likely on his way out of town and Bernard Scott is nothing more than a backup.

There is no doubt that the top running back in the draft is Alabama product Trent Richardson. Miller was battling Chris Polk and David Wilson for the right to be the second back selected.

Not anymore.

Miller has solidified his spot and now the Bengals have to decide if they can pass on him at 17 and hope he’s still there at 21.

Judging by the buzz his combine performance has created, he may not even make it to pick 17.